I'm writing this post on Easter Sunday, in a beautiful hotel in the West Sussex countryside, Gravetye Manor. We are gathering together tomorrow to attend the wedding of Blanche and her man Chris. Blanche is a long-time whistle and flute player, a friend from my Burwell Bash times. They have invited a noisy crowd of Bashers to celebrate their special day - folk music is assuredly going to break out tomorrow night! Jim and I arrived today as I didn't know how long it would take, and to give us a relaxed start to the day. I'm sure there will be some photographs in my next post!
Meanwhile, here's what we've been getting up to at Church Cottage this month.
March has been a really lovely introduction to Spring here in Norfolk; it has been chilly, certainly, but we've had so much lovely sunshine it has even made ME get out there in the garden- actually DIGGING and getting my hands dirty! I'm not a gardener, apart from always having grown and used herbs; I've never felt the garden was one of "my" spaces, but now we have had a bit of a seismic shift in our attitudes and we've been really happy spending time together, pottering around outdoors.
Jim built a large cold-frame to replace the greenhouse which went to make room for the summer house. We've both been sowing herb, veggie and flower seeds to go into the garden and raised beds.
Some plants have already gone into the soil…. the garden is waking up!
Of course there's been ongoing activity indoors too, all the kitchen upheaval, painting, heaving out the Rayburn, digging out the concrete plinth, re-arranging the units and installing the new cooker. The bowls, jugs, plates and other kitchen equipment has been in and out of the living room and been washed and re-washed several times!
The kitchen feels and looks lighter and brighter now, and we had new lighting installed yesterday so the motley collection on spotlights which never really worked has gone and the new lights are SO efficient! I'm loving the light in the cottage now, it was so dark and dim before.
The new trolley is just the job, and snuggles alongside the NEW COOKER!! Yes, all fitted and working very nicely I have to say!
I painted the high book shelf and the little window frame and sill and the new spice shelves Jim built for me.
The summer house is sneakily taking on an additional role as potting shed!
Do you like my tin chickens at the top? I know, I know, they are a short step away from garden gnomes, but we can't keep chickens - no room, so they go some way to make up for it! I love 'em!
Right, I need to dress for dinner, I don't think my short brown tunic and brown Doc Martens will cut it in the hotel dining room, somehow! Then a quiet evening - during which I'll have time to catch up on my favourite blogs, and we'll be looking forward to the festivities tomorrow. It's going to be so good to meet up with some lovely Burwell friends!! Catch you soon!
I am sure the doo will be amazing with lots of fun and music.... enjoy! look forward to some pics.
ReplyDeleteGood to see the progress of your kitchen which will look amazing but best of all it will fit your needs perfectly.
Jo x
Hi Jo! Nice to hear from you! We are all getting a little giddy as the Big Day approaches- it's a little like the pre-Burwell atmosphere on-line!
DeleteI'm so pleased with the kitchen…. so many things about it are those which I've wanted to do for years and years but time wasn't right nor the finances. This is us getting the cottage ready for us into our dotage! Speak soon! L xxxx
Your kitchen is going to be gorgeous, love the colours.
DeleteLovely to meet you and thanks for visiting! Yes, it's been a long haul, but we love it now.
DeleteLoving this kitchen!
ReplyDeleteI do too! Getting to grips with the new cooker - the gas hob is fine but I need to read up on all the flash oven features! Lx
DeleteThe kitchen is really getting there. It's going to be beautiful! Have a fun day!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda - yes we are so pleased with it. And we had THE MOST spectacular 2 days in Sussex, more next post! Lx
DeleteYour kitchen is coming along nicely, and I'm so glad you're getting your hands dirty ;) I'd be lost without my garden! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteYes Amanda it has been a revelation to me… always messed about with my herbs, but never felt 'entitled' I guess to do much in the garden… but we are really enjoying making plans and getting stuck in together - lots more happening garden-wise! Lxx
DeleteLove the kitchen! Its the sort of look I am after - total rejection of the fully fitted, flash, modern thing that does nothing for soul! Have a nice event!
ReplyDeleteHi Trish, thanks for popping by! Our kitchen has gone through several incarnations - mostly designed by me and built by my Other Half Jim. This is the first kitchen we have 'bought' 3 years ago, and it really is just half fitted. (HomeBase, perfectly acceptable and excellent discounts!) I've lived in lots of houses (Naval family) and generally had to put up with what I got given, so it is sheer delight to be able to do more or less what we want with this one. Though it has taken us 24 years living here to accomplish it! ;) The wedding was fabulous, such a delight to meet up with friends again. I'll probably do a quick 'wedding post' later ! Lxx
DeleteHi Lynne, I love your chickens, in fact I was looking at some just the other day at Home Depot and thinking how cute they were. Spring is a time for lots of work, but you folks have really taken on a lot all over your property . . . I guess it's sunny days in the garden and rainy days working on your kitchen, which is looking prettier all the time. I am a huge fan of your Burwell Bash photos, so it will be fun seeing the wedding photos. I know that you are all going to have a splendid time getting together again. Wishing you both the very best.
ReplyDeleteConnie :)
Hi Connie! Yes, we have been quite busy - well, I guess Jim always is, in the garden, but this year I have thrown myself into the gardening side of things with great fervour! I'm just about to write that Burwell Wedding post! xxx
DeleteGood Evening Lynne, I was pootling around the internet and came across your blog and I'm so pleased I have. I have enjoyed reading your posts about your new kitchen exploits.
ReplyDeleteI remember a few years ago when we redesigned our kitchen, I was all over the place, because as you say, you build up a rhythm in the kitchen when you know where everything is.
For the Easter, I decided to place some forsythia in a vase and add little eggs to hang from the forsythia. To do this I needed to move my spices and a few other bits and bobs to other parts of the kitchen. They were only moved for 4 days, but do you know, I kept going back to where they were and not to where they were currently living. I'm glad to say, everything is back to normal.
Your kitchen is lovely. I adore the colour.
Best wishes
Daphne
Hi Daphne - I am SO glad you popped by and left a comment. I LOVE your blog and will spend a long time I know searching back and reading all your posts. Where a bouts in Northumberland are you? My husband Jim is from Wideopen , and we lived in Cramlington for a couple of years while he finished his time in the Navy. Look forward to getting acquainted - ain't Blogland a smashing place? Lx
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